tldr: This article is based on "Episode 1: Roots of an Ancient Art "from The Sculpture of India, a documentary series produced by DD, the national broadcaster of India. This series offers an invaluable exploration of India’s artistic heritage, weaving together history, philosophy, and aesthetics to illuminate the profound legacy of one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
The early art of India stands as a testament to the profound philosophical and spiritual underpinnings of one of the world's oldest civilizations. Spanning millennia, this artistic heritage reflects a worldview that perceives all of creation—humans, animals, plants, and even inanimate elements like the breeze—as interconnected manifestations of a singular, divine essence. This holistic perspective is deeply embedded in Indian art, inviting observers to transcend the illusion of separateness and ego to experience the unity that underlies existence.
Philosophical Foundations: Art as a Path to the Divine
In Indian philosophy, the experience of beauty through art is considered a glimpse of the divine—a fleeting yet transformative moment akin to spiritual ecstasy. This notion is articulated in the Chitra Sutra of the Vishnudharmottara Purana, a 5th-century treatise on art, which emphasizes that art is the greatest treasure of mankind, far more valuable than gold or jewels. The treatise underscores that the purpose of art is noble: to reveal the eternal beyond the ephemeral, guiding individuals toward spiritual realization.
The Indus Valley Civilization: Foundations of Artistic Traditions
The roots of Indian art can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization (circa 4th millennium BCE), one of the earliest and most extensive urban cultures of its time. Cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa exhibit advanced urban planning, with systematic street layouts, drainage systems, and multi-storied brick houses. Artifacts from this civilization, including over 4,000 seals and small-scale sculptures, reflect a highly developed aesthetic sensibility. The seals, featuring naturalistic depictions of animals, plants, and human figures, demonstrate the artist's keen observation and remarkable skill. Notable among these is the famous Pashupati seal, portraying a seated figure surrounded by animals, which some scholars interpret as a prototype of later depictions of Lord Shiva, highlighting the continuity of Indian iconography.
Transition to Urbanization and the Rise of Mauryan Art
As the Indus Valley civilization declined around 1700 BCE due to environmental changes, populations migrated to new regions, leading to the second phase of urbanization in the Ganga Valley. This period, marked by the composition of the Upanishads, saw the emergence of philosophies that deeply influenced subsequent Indian art and thought. By the Mauryan period (circa 4th century BCE), Indian art underwent significant evolution. The unification of the subcontinent under Chandragupta Maurya and his grandson Ashoka brought about a shift from personal-scale artifacts to monumental art intended to convey imperial messages. Ashoka’s inscriptions on rock pillars, such as the iconic Lion Capital at Sarnath, are masterpieces of Mauryan art. The lion, symbolizing the spread of dharma, and the chakra, representing cosmic order, illustrate how Indian rulers employed art to embody philosophical ideals rather than mere political dominance.
Buddhist Influence and the Evolution of Indian Sculpture
The spread of Buddhism during and after Ashoka's reign had a profound impact on Indian art. Buddhist stupas, such as those at Sanchi and Amaravati, became centers of artistic activity, adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes from the Buddha's life and Jataka tales. The early Buddhist art refrained from depicting the Buddha in human form, instead using symbols like the lotus, wheel, and footprints to represent his presence. This aniconic phase eventually gave way to anthropomorphic representations, influenced by the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art. The Gandhara school, with its Greco-Roman influences, portrayed the Buddha with realistic human features, draped in flowing robes, while the Mathura school developed a more indigenous style, emphasizing spiritual expression over physical realism.
Hindu Art and the Representation of the Divine
As Hinduism evolved, so did its artistic expressions. Temples became the focal points of artistic endeavors, with elaborate sculptures adorning their walls and pillars. These sculptures depicted a pantheon of deities, each embodying specific aspects of the divine. The Chola dynasty (9th to 13th centuries CE) in South India is renowned for its bronze sculptures, particularly the iconic Nataraja, depicting Shiva as the cosmic dancer. These works are celebrated for their dynamic movement and intricate detailing, symbolizing the eternal cycle of creation and destruction.
Jain Art: A Testament to Non-Violence and Asceticism
Jainism, with its emphasis on non-violence and asceticism, contributed uniquely to Indian art. Jain temples, especially those at Mount Abu and Ranakpur, are masterpieces of intricate marble work, featuring detailed carvings that reflect the religion's values. The Tirthankaras, or spiritual teachers, are often depicted in meditative postures, embodying the Jain ideals of renunciation and spiritual purity.
The Legacy of Early Indian Art
Early Indian art, whether in the form of small Indus Valley figurines or the grand sculptures of the Mauryan and subsequent empires, laid the foundations for one of the world’s most enduring cultural traditions. It transcended the material to reflect the spiritual, inviting viewers to experience the divine grace underlying existence. From the fluid naturalism of the Indus Valley’s Dancing Girl to the polished elegance of the Mauryan Chauri Bearer, the early art of India reveals a civilization that balanced technical mastery with profound philosophical insight. These creations, though small in scale or monumental in purpose, speak to humanity’s timeless quest for beauty, harmony, and transcendence.